Wig Wednesday team

A group of young people from Merseyside who have been diagnosed with cancer are supporting Wig Wednesday in aid of CLIC Sargent, the UK’s leading cancer charity for children and young people, and their families.

They have filmed, starred in and edited their own promotional video, and have set themselves the target of gaining 5,000 likes on YouTube and Facebook.

In the video they don wacky wigs and share their personal experiences of cancer, to raise awareness of Wig Wednesday which takes place on 21 May.

CLIC Sargent is encouraging thousands of people across the UK, in schools, offices and community groups, to wear wigs on the day and donate to the charity.

Rich Anelay, 21, decided to make the video after CLIC Sargent supported him during his treatment. Rich, who is in his final year of a Sound Technology degree at the Liverpool Institute of Performing Arts, was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma in 2012.

Rich said: “When I heard about Wig Wednesday I thought it would be a great opportunity to make a fun film and promote CLIC Sargent. I wanted people to know about the fantastic work they do for young people with cancer and the support they give.

“During my treatment, CLIC Sargent helped my family and me by providing care, advice and financial support. Jane, my CLIC Sargent Social Worker has been in touch ever since, ringing to see how I am getting on and generally being a very positive influence on me.

"She also put me in touch with a psychologist at the hospital, where I received a lot of aftercare to help deal with some of the mental effects the illness had on me.

"Hopefully our video can make a difference so that every child or young person with cancer can receive help from CLIC Sargent in the future.”

Jessica Johnson, 19, is one of the stars of the film. She was diagnosed with a brain tumour in July 2013.

Jessica said: “CLIC Sargent really helped me get back to my normal self after my operation. My CLIC Sargent Social Worker gave me lots of information and relevant resources, as well as offering emotional support and introducing me to other young people in a similar situation who turned out to be great friends.

“I think it’s great that CLIC Sargent are raising awareness and encouraging people to show their support on Wig Wednesday. I’m glad that we could be part of promoting this amazing charity.”

Ashleigh Bold, also 19, added: "I jumped at the opportunity to make the video for CLIC Sargent because when I was diagnosed with lymphoma, back in June 2013, it was such a frightening experience.

"The emotional and financial implications of the treatment were challenging, but CLIC Sargent was there for me and provided support in every single way to help me cope and get the most out of life. Without them I couldn't have fought my battle with cancer."